2 weeks ago
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Four years since her three life-changing weeks in New York, Emma Raducanu overcame a significant mental hurdle as she earned her first victory at the US Open since her 2021 title run in impressive fashion, dismantling the qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2 to finally return to the second round.
After painful first-round defeats against Alizé Cornet and Sofia Kenin, plus a withdrawal in 2023 during her recovery from three surgeries, Raducanu showed her growth and newfound self-assurance by putting together a solid, clean performance against an inferior opponent.
It also signified a confidence-building first grand slam victory alongside her new Spanish coach, Francisco Roig, who again offered his charge a constant stream of positive reinforcement from a corner of Louis Armstrong Arena. “It’s my first win since 2021 here so it’s extra special,” Raducanu said afterwards.
With the victory, the British No 1 is now 20-4 against lower-ranked players over the past year. She has gradually evolved into a reliable player against lesser opponents, which has been a key part of her steady rise up the rankings. Having been one spot away from being seeded, a much tougher challenge could await Raducanu on Wednesday as she faces either the 24th seed, Veronika Kudermetova, or Janice Tjen, a qualifier.
This was a good first-round draw for Raducanu, but Shibahara is an interesting figure in her own right. An American-born Japanese player, the 27-year-old is a former top five doubles player and the 2022 French Open mixed doubles champion. Shibahara only opted to prioritise singles last year and she has performed admirably, rising from outside the top 500 to her current ranking of No 130. However, she entered the court against Raducanu having never defeated a top-50 opponent and this contest marked just the second grand slam main draw appearance of her career.
From the beginning, Raducanu was ready as she curled an ace out wide on her opening point of the tournament before marching through an assured love hold. She quickly took control of the baseline, forcing herself to take service returns early and striking the ball cleanly as she forced herself inside the baseline. In windy conditions, which have been her undoing in past years, Raducanu importantly also played within herself and offered very few unforced errors.
Although Shibahara possesses a sweet, potent topspin forehand and variation in her game with her drop shot and slice, her game is underpowered against elite opposition and she needs considerable time to unwind her strokes. Raducanu showed that she prepared well for the Japanese player by constantly rushing her forehand. The pressure she imposed throughout the match yielded a constant stream of errors from Shibahara.
Before the tournament, Raducanu spoke in depth about how the US Open has generated conflicting emotions for her over the years. This tournament represents the defining moment of her career, but with the pressure and expectations that followed her victory in 2021, she did not enjoy her two subsequent appearances in New York. Last year was a particular low point as she arrived in New York having been absent from most of the US hardcourt season and lost in the first round against Kenin. During her post-match press conference, Raducanu broke down in tears, a rare occurrence despite her numerous difficulties in recent years.
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Things are clearly different now. Over this summer, Raducanu has worked herself into a more match tough and confident player than at any point over the past four years. Now she will try to turn that conviction and contentment into another positive run in New York.
